Riyadh to host UNESCO-backed Global Forum on AI Ethics in September

Riyadh will host the fourth edition of the Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from September 14 to 17, under the patronage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The event is organized in partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), and coordinated by the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

This marks the first time the forum will be held in the Arab world, bringing together ministers of technology and artificial intelligence from UNESCO member states, policymakers, and leaders of major global companies and international organizations. The participants will discuss ways to promote the responsible use and governance of AI technologies.

Forum themes and objectives

The forum will focus on developing cross-continental policies to ensure the fair and responsible distribution of AI technologies, addressing concerns about the digital divide and potential biases that could lead to discrimination among communities.

Main topics include AI ethics, governance, capacity building, responsible innovation, and international policy. The program will also feature presentations of global initiatives and experiences through specialized sessions and workshops with leading experts and decision-makers from around the world.

These efforts are part of the implementation of UNESCO's 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safe use of AI technologies and safeguarding human dignity and rights in line with rapid global technological developments.

Registration for the forum is available at: https://registration-gfeai.icaire.org/en/join.